FDIFICAC

Differential and Integral Calculus

Chapter 2
Differentiation of Algebraic Functions
Table of Contents
2.1 The Symbol ∆ ........................................................................................................................................... 1

2.2 The Derivative of a Function .................................................................................................................... 2

2.3 Geometric Significance of dy/dx .............................................................................................................. 3

2.4 Rules for Differentiation .......................................................................................................................... 4

2.5 The Chain Rule ......................................................................................................................................... 5

2.6 The Inverse Function Rule ........................................................................................................................ 5

2.7 Higher Derivatives ................................................................................................................................... 6

2.8 Implicit Differentiation ............................................................................................................................ 7

After careful study of this chapter, students should be able to do the following:
1. Explain the concept of a derivative and its geometric interpretation as the slope of the tangent line to a curve
at a point.
2. Apply the rules for differentiation.
3. Determine the higher-order derivatives of algebraic functions.
4. Apply implicit differentiation.

2.1 The Symbol ∆

The process of finding the derivative of a function is called differentiation and the branch of calculus dealing
with this process is called differential calculus.

Suppose 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). A change ∆𝑥 in 𝑥 produces a corresponding change ∆𝑦 in 𝑦.

𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)

∆𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑦 but 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)

then ∆𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)

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Differentiation of Algebraic Functions
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Differential and Integral Calculus
Example 2.1. If 𝑦 = 𝑥 ! , determine the expression for ∆𝑦.

𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)!

∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)! − 𝑦

∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)! − 𝑥 !

2.2 The Derivative of a Function

Recall: ∆𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)

∆*
is a measure of the rate at which 𝑦 is changing with respect to 𝑥 for the interval ∆𝑥.
∆+

The instantaneous rate of change of 𝑓(𝑥) at 𝑥 is given by:

&' ((#*∆#),((#)
lim or lim
∆#→% &# ∆#→% ∆#

The derivative of a function 𝑓 given by 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) with respect to 𝑥 at any 𝑥 in its domain is

𝑑𝑦 Δ𝑦 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)

= lim = lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆#→% Δ𝑥 ∆#→% ∆𝑥

provided the limit exists.

!"
In addition to , other symbols used for the derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) are
!#

!$
𝑓 - (𝑥) , 𝑦 - , 𝐷# 𝑦 , 𝐷# 𝑓 ,
!#

If the limit exists at 𝑥 = 𝑎, then the function 𝑓 is differentiable at 𝑥 = 𝑎.

Example 2.2.1. Find the derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑥 ! .

Solution:

𝑑𝑦 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥) (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)! − 𝑥 ! 𝑥 ! + 2𝑥∆𝑥 + (Δ𝑥)! − 𝑥 ! 2𝑥∆𝑥 + (Δ𝑥)!

= lim = lim = lim = lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆#→% ∆𝑥 ∆#→% ∆𝑥 ∆#→% ∆𝑥 ∆#→% ∆𝑥

∆𝑥(2𝑥 + ∆𝑥)
= lim = lim (2𝑥 + ∆𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 0 = 2𝑥
∆#→% ∆𝑥 ∆#→%

Example 2.2.2. Find the derivative of 𝑠 = 3𝑡 ! − 4.

Solution:

𝑑𝑠 𝑓(𝑡 + ∆𝑡) − 𝑓(𝑡) [3(𝑡 + ∆𝑡)! − 4] − [3𝑡 ! − 4]

= lim = lim
𝑑𝑡 ∆.→% ∆𝑡 ∆.→% ∆𝑡

3[𝑡 ! + 2𝑡∆𝑡 + (∆𝑡)! ] − 4 − [3𝑡 ! − 4]

= lim
∆.→% ∆𝑡

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Differentiation of Algebraic Functions
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Differential and Integral Calculus
3𝑡 ! + 6𝑡∆𝑡 + 3(∆𝑡)! − 4 − 3𝑡 ! + 4 6𝑡∆𝑡 + 3(∆𝑡)! ∆𝑡(6𝑡 + 3∆𝑡)
= lim = lim = lim = lim (6𝑡 + 3∆𝑡)
∆.→% ∆𝑡 ∆.→% ∆𝑡 ∆.→% ∆𝑡 ∆.→%

= 6𝑡 + 3(0) = 6𝑡

2.3 Geometric Significance of dy/dx

Consider the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) as shown. Let 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) and 𝑄(𝑥 + ∆𝑥, 𝑦 + ∆𝑦) be any two points in this curve.
Line 𝑆 which intersects the curve at 𝑃 and 𝑄 and having inclination 𝛼 is called the secant line of the curve.

The slope of 𝑆 is given by

∆𝑦 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑚 = tan 𝛼 = =
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥

The line 𝑇 passing through point 𝑃 and having inclination 𝜃 is the tangent line to the curve at 𝑃. Let ∆𝑥 → 0 or
𝑄 → 𝑃 along the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). The secant 𝑆 approaches the tangent 𝑇 as its limiting position. That is the
slope of 𝑆 approaches the slope of 𝑇 or symbolically tan 𝛼 = tan 𝜃.

Δ𝑦 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)

lim = lim = slope of 𝑇 at 𝑃
∆#→% Δ𝑥 ∆#→% ∆𝑥

The derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) at a point 𝑃 on the curve is equal to the slope of the tangent line at 𝑃. This is the
/'
geometric significance of the derivative /# .

Example 2.3. Find the slope of the tangent to the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 0 at the point (2,8)’

Solution:

𝑑𝑦 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥) (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)0 − 𝑥 0 𝑥 0 + 3𝑥 ! ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥(∆𝑥)! + (∆𝑥)0 − 𝑥 0

= lim = lim = lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆#→% ∆𝑥 ∆#→% ∆𝑥 ∆#→% ∆𝑥

3𝑥 ! ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥(∆𝑥)! + (∆𝑥)0 ∆𝑥(3𝑥 ! + 3𝑥∆𝑥 + (∆𝑥)! )

= lim = lim = lim (3𝑥 ! + 3𝑥∆𝑥 + (∆𝑥)! )
∆#→% ∆𝑥 ∆#→% ∆𝑥 ∆#→%

= 3𝑥 ! + 3𝑥(0) + 0! = 3𝑥 !

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Differentiation of Algebraic Functions
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Differential and Integral Calculus
At (2,8) where 𝑥 = 2,

𝑑𝑦
= 3𝑥 ! = 3(2)! = 12
𝑑𝑥

2.4 Rules for Differentiation

𝑑
1 (𝑐) = 0 The Constant Rule 𝑐 is a constant
𝑑𝑥
𝑑
2 (𝑥) = 1 The Identity Function Rule
𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑑𝑢 𝑢 is a differentiable function of 𝑥
3 (𝑐𝑢) = 𝑐
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 and 𝑐 is a constant
𝑑 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑣 𝑢 and 𝑣 are differentiable
4 (𝑢 + 𝑣) = + The Sum Rule
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 functions of 𝑥
𝑑 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑢 𝑢 and 𝑣 are differentiable
5 (𝑢𝑣) = 𝑢 +𝑣 The Product Rule
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 functions of 𝑥
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑣 𝑢 and 𝑣 are differentiable
6 𝑑 𝑢 𝑣 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑢 𝑑𝑥 The Quotient Rule
S T= functions of 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑣 𝑣!
𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢 𝑢 is a differentiable function of 𝑥
7 (𝑢 ) = 𝑛𝑢1,2 The Power Rule
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 and 𝑛 is any real number
𝑑𝑢
𝑑
8 V√𝑢X = 𝑑𝑥 𝑢 is a differentiable function of 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2√𝑢
𝑑 1 −𝑛 𝑑𝑢 𝑢 is a differentiable function of 𝑥
9 Y 1 Z = 1*2
𝑑𝑥 𝑢 𝑢 𝑑𝑥 and 𝑛 is any real number

/'
Example 2.4.1. Find /# if 𝑦 = 𝑥 0 − 4𝑥 ! + 5.

Solution:

𝑑𝑦 𝑑 0 𝑑 0 𝑑 𝑑
= (𝑥 − 4𝑥 ! + 5) = (𝑥 ) − (4𝑥 ! ) + (5) = 3𝑥 0,2 − 2(4)𝑥 !,2 + 0 = 3𝑥 ! − 8𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
/'
Example 2.4.2. If 𝑦 = √3𝑥 + 2 , find .
/#

Solution:

𝑑𝑦 𝑑 2 1 2 𝑑 1 2 3 3
= (3𝑥 + 2)! = (3𝑥 + 2)!,2 (3𝑥 + 2) = (3𝑥 + 2),! (3) = 2 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2 2√3𝑥 + 2
2(3𝑥 + 2)!
/' 3
Example 2.4.3. Find if 𝑦 = (!#*2)!.
/#

Solution:

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Differentiation of Algebraic Functions
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Differential and Integral Calculus
𝑑𝑦 𝑑 𝑑
= [4(2𝑥 + 1),0 ] = (−3)(4)(2𝑥 + 1),0,2 (2𝑥 + 1) = −12(2𝑥 + 1),3 (2) = −24(2𝑥 + 1),3
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

−24
=
(2𝑥 + 1)3

/'
Example 2.4.4. Find if 𝑦 = (2𝑥 + 1)0 (4𝑥 − 1)! .
/#

Solution:

𝑑𝑦 𝑑 𝑑
= (2𝑥 + 1)0 (4𝑥 − 1)! + (4𝑥 − 1)! (2𝑥 + 1)0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑 𝑑
= (2𝑥 + 1)0 \2(4𝑥 − 1)!,2 (4𝑥 − 1)] + (4𝑥 − 1)! \3(2𝑥 + 1)0,2 (2𝑥 + 1)]
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

= (2𝑥 + 1)0 [2(4𝑥 − 1)(4)] + (4𝑥 − 1)! [3(2𝑥 + 1)! (2)]

= (2𝑥 + 1)0 [8(4𝑥 − 1)] + (4𝑥 − 1)! [6(2𝑥 + 1)! ] = 2(2𝑥 + 1)! (4𝑥 − 1)[4(2𝑥 + 1) + 3(4𝑥 − 1)]

= 2(2𝑥 + 1)! (4𝑥 − 1)[8𝑥 + 4 + 12𝑥 − 3] = 2(2𝑥 + 1)! (4𝑥 − 1)(20𝑥 + 1)

2.5 The Chain Rule

If 𝑦 is differentiable function of 𝑢 given by 𝑓(𝑢) and if 𝑢 is a differentiable function of 𝑥 given by 𝑢 = 𝑔(𝑥),

then 𝑦 is differentiable function of 𝑥 and

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= ⋅
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥
/'
Example 2.5. Find /# if 𝑦 = 4𝑢0 and 𝑢 = 𝑥 ! + 5𝑥.

Solution:

𝑑𝑦 𝑑
= (4𝑢0 ) = 12𝑢!
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑢

𝑑𝑢 𝑑 !
= (𝑥 + 5𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 5
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= ⋅ = 12𝑢! (2𝑥 + 5) = 12(𝑥 ! + 5𝑥)! (2𝑥 + 5)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥

2.6 The Inverse Function Rule

If 𝑦 is a differentiable function of 𝑥 defined by 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) , then its inverse function defined by 𝑥 = 𝑔(𝑦) is
differentiable function of 𝑦 and

𝑑𝑦 1
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥⁄𝑑𝑦

/'
Example 2.6. If 𝑥 = 𝑦 0 − 4𝑦 ! , find /# .

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Differentiation of Algebraic Functions
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Differential and Integral Calculus
Solution:

𝑑𝑥 𝑑 0
= (𝑦 − 4𝑦 ! ) = 3𝑦 ! − 8𝑦
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 1
=
𝑑𝑥 3𝑦 ! − 8𝑦

2.7 Higher Derivatives

/'
The derivative or 𝑓 - (𝑥) of the function 𝑓 is a number that depends on 𝑥. Hence 𝑓 - is itself a function of 𝑥
/#
and may be differentiated again with respect to 𝑥. This process is represented symbolically by any of the
following notations:

𝑑 𝑑𝑦 𝑑! 𝑦
Y Z= !
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑 -
[𝑓 (𝑥)] = 𝑓 -- (𝑥)
𝑑𝑥

𝑑 -
(𝑦 ) = 𝑦 --
𝑑𝑥

𝐷# (𝐷# 𝑦) = 𝐷! # 𝑦

The derivatives of order higher than 2 are defined and denoted as follows:

3rd derivative

𝑑0 𝑦
= 𝑓 --- (𝑥) = 𝑦 --- = 𝐷# 0 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 0

4th derivative

𝑑3 𝑦
= 𝑓 (3)(𝑥) = 𝑦 (3) = 𝐷# 3 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 3

nth derivative

𝑑1 𝑦
= 𝑓 (1)(𝑥) = 𝑦 (1) = 𝐷# 1 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 1

/"'
Example 2.7. If 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 0 + 5𝑥 ! − 4, find /# " .

Solution:

𝑑𝑦 𝑑 3
= (𝑥 − 2𝑥 0 + 5𝑥 ! − 4) = 4𝑥 0 − 6𝑥 ! + 10𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑! 𝑦 𝑑
!
= (4𝑥 0 − 6𝑥 ! + 10𝑥) = 12𝑥 ! − 12𝑥 + 10
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑0 𝑦 𝑑
0
= (12𝑥 ! − 12𝑥 + 1) = 24𝑥 − 12
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

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Differentiation of Algebraic Functions
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Differential and Integral Calculus
𝑑3 𝑦 𝑑
3
= (24𝑥 − 12) = 24
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑4 𝑦 𝑑
= (24) = 0
𝑑𝑥 4 𝑑𝑥

2.8 Implicit Differentiation

In the equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 ! + 4𝑥 + 3 , 𝑦 is an explicit function of 𝑥. Explicit function may be represented by 𝑦 =

𝑓(𝑥).

If 𝑦 is a function of 𝑥 but is not expressed explicitly in terms of 𝑥, then 𝑦 is said to be an implicit function of 𝑥.
In the equation 𝑥 ! + 4𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 ! = 0 , 𝑦 is an implicit function of 𝑥. In general, an implicit function may be
represented by 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 0.

/'
To find /# or 𝑦 - of an implicit function, differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to 𝑥 and then
/'
solve for /# or 𝑦 - . The process involved is called implicit differentiation.

/'
Example 2.8.1. Find /# if 𝑦 ! = 4𝑥 ! + 9.

Solution:

𝑑 ! 𝑑
(𝑦 ) = (4𝑥 ! + 9)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦
2𝑦 = 8𝑥
𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 4𝑥
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑦

Example 2.8.2. Find 𝑦 - if 𝑥 ! + 4𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 ! = 0.

Solution:

2𝑥 + 4(𝑥𝑦 - + 𝑦) + 8𝑦𝑦 - = 0

2𝑥 + 4𝑥𝑦 - + 4𝑦 + 8𝑦𝑦 - = 0

𝑦 - (4𝑥 + 8𝑦) + 2𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 0

−2𝑥 − 4𝑦 2𝑥 + 4𝑦
𝑦- = =−
4𝑥 + 8𝑦 4𝑥 + 8𝑦

Example 2.8.3. Find 𝑦 -- if 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 4.

Solution:

!# #
2𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 - = 0 →→→ 𝑦- = − =−
!' '

applying the implicit differentiation again,

2 + 2(𝑦𝑦 -- + 𝑦 - 𝑦 - ) = 0

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Differentiation of Algebraic Functions
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2 + 2𝑦𝑦 -- + 2𝑦 - 𝑦 - = 0

1 + 𝑦𝑦 -- + 𝑦 - 𝑦 - = 0

𝑥 𝑥
1 + 𝑦𝑦 -- + Y− Z Y− Z = 0
𝑦 𝑦

𝑥!
1 + 𝑦𝑦 -- + =0
𝑦!

𝑥! 𝑥! 𝑦! + 𝑥! 𝑥! + 𝑦! 4
𝑦𝑦 -- = −1 − = − b1 + c = − b c = − b c=− !
𝑦! 𝑦! 𝑦! 𝑦! 𝑦

4 1 4
𝑦 -- = Y− !
ZY Z = − 0
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦

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